How does the Dry Matter Intake (DMI) requirement compare between a maintenance-level Zebu bull and a high-producing lactating female?
A maintenance-level Zebu might need 1.8% DMI on a low-quality diet, while a high-producing cow might require 3.0% or more.
The precise quantity of food required, measured as Dry Matter Intake (DMI), is highly dependent on the physiological state and productive output expected of the Zebu. A mature bull maintained strictly for breeding during a dry season will have significantly lower energetic demands. In contrast, a lactating female supporting a rapidly growing calf faces high energy deficits. Textual examples illustrate this disparity clearly: a maintenance animal might require approximately 1.8% of its body weight in DMI from a low-quality diet, whereas a cow actively producing milk might need 3.0% or substantially more to meet those heightened energy demands, often necessitating the introduction of higher quality forage or concentrates.
